Data Processing Tips for Coders and IT Professionals
In the modern era, it’s often said that data is becoming a new standard currency – the most valuable resource in the world. That’s only set to continue as a growing trend in the 2020s, and hundreds of thousands of more companies, with billions of more datasets being traded as information. As a coder or IT professional, it’s a wise idea to start getting your data processing skills up to scratch – there’s going to be a wave of job opportunities for those in the know. As such, here are some tips for building your data processing talents.
Learn the Language
Coding languages all follow the same basic template but can differ considerably depending on what the code has been designed to optimize. If you’re coding a website, it’s visual attributes you’re going to be storing in your mind. But for data processing, you want to know how to pull up specific sets of data – and fast.
To do this, you’ll want to get your head around SQL Regex – a simple investment of your time, if you’re already familiar with coding as a subject. Here, you’ll learn how to use tags to draw out the juicy bits from datasets, including email addresses and other contact details. These can be incredibly valuable for companies who are looking to sift through their data to find the information that matters to them.
Understand the Market
Another key part of your training will be to understand what companies want from their data – how data is monetized, and what this means for the job market when you’re applying for roles within organizations that are driving a data-first strategy. In simple terms, this is about looking at why data is so valuable, where it’s sourced from, and how you can collate the data within a company to get the best results.
With this knowledge, you’ll be able to hit the ground running with your data processing skills, getting down to the nitty-gritty of how, why and where that is crucial for all businesses and their operations. Find books on the subject, or take an online course, to get to grips with this new and treasured resource.
Regulations and Laws
While data is lauded as a revolutionizing force, it’s also regarded as something that companies must protect. Failure to do so can result in incredibly heavy fines, and as such, you’ll be expected to sign an NDA and keep to strict ethical principles, when you’re working with the data of individuals around the world.
Getting a basic understanding of these rules and regulations before you set out on your data processing career will sit you in good stead to toe the line in this regard, always staying on the right side of the law, and avoiding any damaging data leaks or illegal activities. Companies often advertise for individuals with this knowledge when looking for coders to bring in to process data – so it’s a must if you’re making a career change into this discipline.
These three tips are fundamental to data processing – and the jobs you’ll be asked to perform in such a role – in 2020 and beyond.
